Published 2025-07-01

Proper storage of products in the life sciences and food industry is directly linked to maintaining your own and your customers’ quality standards and complying with applicable laws. In this text, we highlight how monitoring the storage climate, together with measures such as temperature mapping and temperature alarms, help protect sensitive products.

Shelving systems, packing and picking, inflows and outflows, fill rates… Facility managers, operations managers and warehouse managers have many factors to consider to create stable and efficient storage of sensitive products. One important aspect is that climates are adapted to different products. Therefore, it is crucial that monitoring systems are installed, for example, in cold rooms where temperature-sensitive goods are stored.

Challenges in life sciences

In life sciences – such as the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology and laboratory operations – many temperature-sensitive goods require perfectly temperate climates. These range from vaccines to biological samples, which can also be sensitive to light and humidity. Here are some common challenges:

• Temperature deviations: many substances need to be stored in environments with strict temperature monitoring, e.g. within ranges such as 2-8°C or around -90°C. Even small deviations can render some products unusable.
• Impact of humidity and light: some chemicals and biological materials degrade in high humidity or UV exposure.
• Refrigeration and freezer failures: technical failures or power outages can lead to the loss of sensitive products.
• Cross-contamination: improper separation can negatively affect sensitive materials.
• Requirements from authorities: life science is heavily regulated by e.g. GMP, GDP, EMA, which places demands on documentation and traceability.

Challenges in food

Food products are sensitive to both temperature and humidity. Improper storage can quickly cause bacterial growth and spoil the goods. An effective solution is to install a cold room monitoring system. Here are some common challenges in the food industry:

• Inadequate cold chains: food must be kept within precise temperature limits at all times throughout the supply chain.
• Wrong humidity: low humidity dries out foods, while too high humidity levels can create mold and bacteria growth.
• Poor air circulation and gas environment: many foods require a modified atmosphere (e.g. low oxygen content) to keep longer.
• Poor stock management: without proper rotation (first in, first out), older products can sit around for too long.
• Traceability: regulations such as HACCP and EU regulations require control and documentation at every stage.

How to ensure optimal climate conditions

Protecting sensitive products requires both reliable technology and clear procedures. Here are some measures you should implement:

1. Monitoring with temperature alarms: install data loggers with temperature (and humidity if needed) sensors connected to a monitoring system. The system logs data continuously and alerts automatically in case of anomalies, via SMS and/or email.
2. Quality assured equipment: use calibrated measurement technology in cold rooms, freezers and other storage environments. Calibration ensures that your equipment gives reliable readings.
3. Temperature mapping: performs mapping in both winter and summer to identify temperature variations within storage areas.
4. Backup and emergency solutions: install backup power systems such as UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and have access to dry ice or cooling gel in case of emergency.
5. Organized and hygienic storage: apply good storage practices (GSP) – label clearly, separate incompatible substances, keep clean and prevent pests.

Published 2022-12-09

Temperature reports are important and highly demanding documentation. Mainly in the context of food and pharmaceutical handling, but also in other areas. Are you responsible for the temperature reports in your business and maybe you feel you don’t have enough time?

Would you need a solution where all measurement data is collected and packaged in a smart and neat way? Do you want to be able to send documentation to clients or authorities? Do you want to avoid compiling data yourself from different measurement points and be able to access your measurements at the touch of a button? Solutions exist and are not far away! Here you can read about testo Smart Connect and testo Saveris 1 – two systems for remote monitoring of measured values.

testo Smart Connect

WiFi data loggers with flexible cloud service
Many people want fast access and reporting but do not want to have to manage the documentation in their own local IT system. Then the WiFi loggers in the testo Smart Connect series are an excellent alternative. It is a very competent logger solution where each measuring point is affordable even in small systems.

At the heart of the system is a cloud solution that is easy to access from anywhere with an internet connection. Measured values, reception of alarms, etc. can be viewed and managed on a mobile phone or computer.

Is there a space where you wonder if the temperature is really stable? Are there moisture-sensitive products in the premises? It is easy to monitor and log this with testo Smart Connect. It is easy to set up alarms and create automatic reports. History is available as soon as the measurement data is searchable.

Real-life example
One of our customers had a problem with a refrigeration compressor on the roof of the building sometimes stopping for no reason, resulting in damage to the products stored in the cold room. In one of the testo Smart Connect loggers, it is possible to connect a sensor that detects when a circuit is closed or opened. This came in handy in this case. When the compressor stopped, the customer received an email and was able to send a repairman before hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of sensitive products were damaged. A good solution in this case to complement the usual temperature monitoring.

testo Smart Connect consists of WiFi data loggers in various designs – with internal or external sensors – all with technical data and accuracies that make them suitable for really advanced measurement. In combination with calibration, measurement reliability is further increased. The sensor range is wide, which means that testo Smart Connect can do a lot.

Read more about testo Smart Connect

testo Saveris 1

Do you want full control of all measurement data in your own computer or server environment?
In that case, our testo Saveris 1 system is what you want. The heart is a base unit used in conjunction with software in a PC or server. testo Saveris 1 is suitable whether the company is small with limited resources or large with high demands on IT security. The software is available in a CFR part 11 validatable version that supports GxP.

Secure storage of measurement values
The system collects all measurement data via radio or network sensors that communicate with the base unit. All data is also buffered in the sensors’ internal memories, providing double security. In the event of a power failure, all measurements are stored in the radio sensors and then transmitted when the system is restored. If the server (or communication to it) fails, all measurement data from the entire system is stored in the base until the problem is resolved. Everything is reported to the SQL database included in testo Saveris 1 and saved there. All this information is searchable and can be obtained either as automatic daily/weekly/monthly reporting and/or as special reports on a case-by-case basis.

Read locally with a PC or remotely via the web
It is also possible to order your testo Saveris 1 base with GSM module and thus obtain SMS alarms. It’s a smart solution that gives you more time on your side. If the limit values are exceeded, attention is drawn immediately. testo Saveris 1 fits into advanced environments and can be configured to connect to multiple geographically separated locations via the internet and VPN. In really large testo Saveris 1 systems, more base units can be used. The system requires modest system resources/computing power to keep costs down. testo Saveris 1 can be made remotely readable, but not via a cloud account but via a web extension installed on your own server. The company’s IT department has ample opportunity to configure as it sees fit and make measurement information available to those who need it.

Read more about testo Saveris 1

Published 2025-05-27

To meet stringent regulatory requirements while future-proofing its operations, Oriola has chosen to replace its legacy monitoring system with the testo Saveris 1 measurement system. The system, installed at the company’s two sites in Mölnlycke and Enköping, plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal temperatures and humidity in the environments where sensitive medicines and health products are stored.

Oriola plays a central role in Swedish pharmaceutical distribution. The business covers everything from deliveries to pharmacies and hospitals to veterinary clinics and other healthcare institutions. It is a highly regulated industry where guidelines from the Swedish Medical Products Agency, the Swedish Food Agency and the Swedish Board of Agriculture, among others, set the framework. All handling must be done in accordance with GDP (Good Distribution Practice).

– We also have constant audits. Almost every week we are audited by a manufacturer who stores products with us. The customer then wants to see documentation showing that our measuring equipment is validated and calibrated, what settings and procedures we have for alarms, how any deviations are followed up and rectified – and so on,” says Ingemar Järsand, property manager at Oriola.

Hundreds of loggers and sensors
The company’s facilities in Mölnlycke (southeast of Gothenburg) and Enköping (northwest of Stockholm) have a combined storage and logistics area of around 50,000 square meters. Operations in Mölnlycke include an automated high-bay warehouse for pharmaceuticals and health products, and in Enköping there is an automated picking system for repackaging.

The new monitoring system is designed to meet high standards of measurement accuracy, safety and documentation. In Mölnlycke, 155 data loggers have been installed with a total of 220 temperature sensors and 25 humidity sensors. In Enköping, there are 142 data loggers for 180 temperature sensors and 20 humidity sensors. The data loggers are used to monitor a variety of carefully tempered environments.

– The climates in which we store pharmaceutical and healthcare products span a wide range of temperatures: from storing vaccines at -90 degrees to storing pharmaceutical and healthcare products at room temperatures. But whatever the environment, we need to have total control of the climate – around the clock,” says Ingemar Järsand.

Overview and flexibility
The decision to choose testo Saveris 1 was based on several factors. The old monitoring system was wired and required extensive physical installation for changes. The new system is wireless, which makes it much easier to customize and expand the monitoring as the business continuously changes.

– Thanks to the new system, controlled relocation of products can be done quickly and cost-effectively without cabling or major remodeling,” says Ingemar Järsand and continues:
– “The system is also very easy to understand. We use a program for the administration of sensors and alarms, as well as a user-friendly web interface – Cockpit – which we work with daily. Cockpit is very clear and easy to use. When alarms occur, we quickly get an overview and can act before any deviations occur.

The new monitoring system is set to log measurement data every five minutes and alerts in several stages: at an early stage, an alert is sent, allowing Ingemar and colleagues to quickly investigate and fix the problem before an emergency alarm is triggered. This minimizes the risk of product loss and ensures that all climate parameters are within approved limits.

Installation, validation and support
testo Saveris 1 was delivered by Nordtec, who also installed the base station, all data loggers and sensors, and performed a comprehensive and thorough validation of the entire system. During an initial period, a remote desktop solution is used, which means that Nordtec can support Oriola with settings and troubleshooting remotely.

– Everything has gone very smoothly. In addition, the cooperation has been both instructive and fun. We are super happy with the system. It works exactly as it should, is easy to use and makes it easy for us to move temperature and humidity measurements when needed,” says Ingemar.

– This system allows us to confidently meet the requirements of our customers and authorities, both now and in the future. Thanks to Testos Saveris 1 and Nordtec’s support, we have the tools to continue to help ensure that medicines are stored and distributed in perfect condition to healthcare providers and ultimately private individuals who need the products,” concludes Ingemar Järsand.

Published 2024-05-14

There is an increasing demand for IVF treatments worldwide. This means that the medtech company Vitrolife’s growth journey continues. A key prerequisite for further expansion is continuous, safe and accurate climate monitoring in a wide range of environments.

Since its inception in 1994 in Gothenburg, Sweden, Vitrolife has developed into an international company that develops and manufactures products used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. In 2011, Vitrolife acquired Igenomix, a leader in reproductive genetic testing mainly for IVF clinics. Together they are now Vitrolife Group, a global leader in reproductive health. Today, the company has manufacturing and laboratory operations in Europe, the United States and Asia. The group employs 1 100 people and is present in nearly 130 markets around the world.

Group management, as well as significant development work and manufacturing, remain in Gothenburg. It produces media, i.e. nutrient solutions that provide embryos with optimal environments during IVF treatments. Other major products are pipettes and aspiration needles of various dimensions used for handling eggs and embryos.

“We measure quite broadly”
– Our products need to be tested and stored safely, which means that we need to keep a close eye on temperatures in particular,” says Mattias Uddén, Head of Technology at Vitrolife.

It involves extensive measurements of temperatures in different refrigeration and freezing environments. Furthermore, heating conditions and humidity are monitored in many incubators, as well as temperature levels in clean rooms and storage areas.

– In other words, we measure quite broadly, says Mattias Uddén.

To keep track of all climates in critical environments, Uddén and his colleagues use the testo Saveris 1 measurement system. The customized system at Vitrolife consists of about 80 deployed data loggers that continuously deliver data from over a hundred measuring points.

Simple and user-friendly
Last fall, Vitrolife decided to upgrade the measurement system. Much of the existing measurement equipment (dating from 2014) was retained and supplemented with the very latest measurement technology from Testo. “Both financially and from a sustainability perspective, it felt good to be able to combine old and new donors,” says Mattias Uddén.

– “What I like about the Saveris system is that it’s easy to understand and user-friendly,” he says and continues:

– We can calibrate equipment ourselves, replace sensors and add new sensors relatively painlessly.

In connection with the update of the measurement system, Nordtec was hired to perform a validation. That is, a comprehensive review of the system down to the smallest detail. Having a validated measurement system feels safe, says Mattias Uddén.

Validation increased knowledge
– After many years of use with moving sensors and documentation that did not quite keep up, it was nice to get the whole system validated. In this way, we can ensure that measurements, data storage and related functions work properly,” says Mattias and continues:

– We now have clear maps of where all the sensors are located and all my technicians have increased their knowledge of the system. It is not locked in that a few can check things out but the whole group can do it.

One of the reasons why Vitrolife has chosen to invest in testo Saveris 1 is the possibility of receiving automatic alarms via SMS and alarms at specified limit values. Stable cooling, freezing and heating climates are essential for the medtech company. The slightest increase or decrease in temperature and humidity is devastating for the quality of IVF products.

– During office hours, we are the technicians who keep track. After 6 p.m., we have an emergency response team that receives any limit value alarms. When it comes to cold rooms, we need to be able to act immediately. That’s why we have chosen to hire an external company that is on call and can respond quickly if necessary,” says Mattias Uddén.

Increased measurement needs for new processes
Although Vitrolife has experienced impressive growth in recent years, it has no plans to slow down. On the contrary, a lot will happen in the coming years. Among other things, large parts of the needle department will be automated and the production volume will increase significantly.

This in turn means an increased need for measurements to ensure optimal climates for new processes and environments. With the testo Saveris 1, Vitrolife is equipped for the future. It is a system that is easy to scale up. Testo also continuously develops all parts of the system, to meet changing market demands.

And if Mattias Uddén needs technical backup, he knows that Nordtec support is just a phone call away.

– I feel that my technicians receive quick help and that they “talk in a farmer’s way”, so that everyone understands. Everything is going incredibly smoothly!

Published 2024-02-09

Djurfarmacia in Trollhättan delivers large quantities of medicines to private individuals, animal breeders, veterinarians and animal hospitals around the country. To ensure that the cold chain is maintained throughout and the right temperature vaccines and medicines reach their recipients, extensive validation of the climates of different transport boxes is carried out.

Djurfarmacia operates a pharmacy, a veterinary clinic, wholesale trade with pharmacies and distribution to a variety of target groups: private individuals, animal owners, animal breeders, food producers and animal health care providers.

The company started in 2007 and has had an impressive growth journey. The current turnover is 420 million and the business employs 46 people. Virtually the entire workforce is involved in the extensive distance selling of no less than 17,000 items in the Trollhättan warehouse.

– We account for a very large share of deliveries to, among others, pig producers in Sweden. We also carry a significant amount of medicine for sheep and cattle across the country. Vaccination is known to reduce the use of antibiotics. Prevention rather than treatment, which we are good at in Sweden. “Our deliveries of vaccines in particular make us a significant player in food supply,” says Christina Molin, CEO of Djurfarmacia.

Temperature logs and calibration
Djurfarmacia has been working with Nordtec for several years. Nordtec has installed around 20 data loggers from Testo for temperature monitoring in various spaces and performs calibration of all measuring equipment on site at the animal pharmacy once a year. In order to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of the Swedish Medical Products Agency and to be able to guarantee the delivery of reliable medicines, Nordtec has recently been hired for an extensive validation assignment.

– We do this to demonstrate that we know how to pack to maintain the right temperatures. Our distance selling license from the Swedish Medical Products Agency requires that all medicines are at the right temperature from us until they are handed over to customers. That’s why we do this kind of survey from time to time,” says Christina Molin.

Mapping of 36 transport boxes
The validation involves Nordtec’s delegates, calibration manager Maria Almestål and calibration engineer Linda Wiman, together with Linda Henriksson and Rickard Fredriksson at Djurfarmacia, packing no less than 36 transport boxes of different sizes. The drawers are filled with a variety of products and freezer bulbs. A sensor connected to a data logger is placed in a pharmaceutical package in each box, which is then placed at normal room temperature, or in a hot or cold room to simulate transportation with different ambient conditions. After 48 hours, the logs should be read to see if the temperatures in the transport boxes are still within the prescribed ranges of either +2 to +8 °C or -20 to -30 °C (depending on the medicine). This is the most comprehensive validation that Djurfarmacia has done so far.

– 12-18 pallet cages loaded with pharmaceutical packages leave our loading dock daily. The purpose of this validation is simply to ensure uninterrupted cold chains – even after longer transports of up to three days,” says Christina Molin, adding:

– We want to ensure that the medicines are transported in the right conditions to our end customers, regardless of the season and the ambient temperature.

What is your biggest challenge ahead?
– To continue to offer efficient and secure deliveries to our customers. Our goal is not to grow but to keep our customers by offering them a high level of service and safe transportation.

– We moved two years ago and doubled our space, but we already need more space and are planning an extension in a few years. Our wholesale business, as well as our other activities, is growing steadily. We have increased by 10-15% every year, although, as I said, this is not our target. This is clear evidence that our knowledge and service is appreciated and important.

Published 2022-08-12

Fujirebio has 50 years of experience in providing in vitro diagnostic (IVD) solutions. The company is involved in everything from developing and manufacturing to selling robust IVD products worldwide. The entire operation is permeated by strict requirements to ensure that all medical raw materials are stored at exactly the right temperature at all times. To meet these legal requirements, Fujirebio uses the testo Saveris 1 monitoring system.

The report team from Nordtec meets Facility Manager Alexander Gatara on site at Fujirebio’s premises in Gothenburg to see how testo Saveris 1 helps Alexander and his colleagues in their daily work.

What exactly do you do here at Fujirebio?
– We produce reagents for chemical analysis,” says Alexander. “The big players in medical technology use our raw material to perform tests with their analytical instruments, which they develop and sell to hospital laboratories,” says Alexander Gatara.

– We also use the raw material ourselves, to produce our own analysis kits. They are used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, both for research and clinical use.

Can you describe your Saveris system?
– There are many donors, over 30 of them. All are wirelessly connected to 5 converters, which in turn are connected to the Ethernet network. Via a switch, the values are transmitted to a computer and the Saveris base station.

– The software is on a virtual computer, so I can go in and look at the values from any computer. If I’m on call and at home when an alert comes in via text or email, I can log in and see what’s wrong.

– This allows me to directly assess the urgency of the problem. For example, if a freezer is currently being defrosted, it is not surprising that the temperature rises.

– All the devices we use also have a device manager and they also receive alarms via SMS when a measured value is not within the limit values. Then we have to go and check what is wrong.

– But we have huge restrictions on who can be inside the system. It’s just me and one other person. So when someone needs to get a report, one of us does it. It is possible to introduce different access levels in the system and allow more users, but we haven’t done that yet.

Are there requirements from authorities?
– This is a heavily regulated activity and the Medical Products Agency, among others, carries out inspections. It is important for temperature levels to be recorded, for alarms to be sent out to the right people and so on. Customers also have specific requirements, so they can also come and visit us to inspect our processes.

Are you satisfied with testo Saveris 1?
– I am very happy. I don’t really see anything missing.

What is the procedure for calibrating measuring equipment?
– We don’t actually disassemble any sensors and send them off for calibration. I calibrate them myself on site using a specific method to meet all the requirements of our business. All sensors are checked once a year. If the deviations are too large, I make an adjustment and then recalibrate. Everything is, of course, documented according to the instructions developed for the activity.

– “Almost all Saveris sensors can be adjusted, so it shouldn’t be a problem,” Mattias adds. Otherwise, you would have to rely on calibration protocols and add or subtract the measurement deviation manually at each reading.

– We also bought the adjustment software for the testo Saveris 1 just to be able to calibrate and adjust on our own.

What are the main advantages of the monitoring system?
– It is a large, complex system with many sensors, yet it is easy to manage. In addition, I can create the necessary reports at any time and at least once a month we run a report on the whole system.

What do you measure?
– We measure temperature values in refrigerators and freezers where we store the raw material, i.e. the reagent materials we produce here. In the freezers, we keep -75°C and the sensors are inserted through tight seals. Looking at the system as a whole, we have sensors that measure everything from -196°C to +65°C.

Which measurement quantities?
– We only measure temperature. We have freezers, cold rooms and even a cryogenic freezer for living cells. They are then used to make cultures in the lab, which we use in the raw material.

How was temperature monitoring managed before testo Saveris 1?
– A long time ago, we only used the freezers and refrigerators’ own sensors. They were connected to a system that sent alarms to Securitas. We could not see temperature levels before and after the event that triggered the alarm and we could not document the temperature levels over time.

– So there was no history. But now it’s 8 or 9 years since we installed the testo Saveris 1 and we have gradually expanded it with more and more sensors. Now it has grown really big.

Published 2022-08-12

In 2007, Djurfarmacia started wholesaling. Soon there was a shop selling personal care products for animals and a veterinary clinic. Three years later, they also received permission to open the Apotek Trollet animal pharmacy. In order to comply with legal requirements that medicines are stored at the right temperatures, Djurfarmacia has commissioned a so-called mapping of the premises.

In short, mapping involves measuring the temperature at different locations and heights in a space over a period of time. After Nordtec had mapped the temperature levels at Djurfarmacia, we had a chat with pharmacy manager Anna Gustafsson and Cecilia Berg, responsible for wholesale.

What are the different types of warehouses you have?
– “We have stocks everywhere,” say both Anna and Cecilia, laughing. Both cold and hot, both room and refrigerator temperature, for many different purposes.

In which layers was mapping carried out?
– All of them, in fact. Our three cold rooms are now mapped and there was also a room temperature room that was mapped. We are required to have the right temperatures in all premises where medicines are present. Both in the retail part – that is, the pharmacy – and in the warehouses.

Why was Nordtec awarded the contract?
– We already knew Nordtec because we have been using the remote monitoring system testo Saveris 1 for a long time, which Nordtec supplied and installed. In this system, we receive alarms if there are abnormal temperatures somewhere.

– We have also always had Nordtec as support when it comes to temperature monitoring, so we felt it was natural to turn to you.

How long did the measurements last?
– We think it lasted five days, but it was a bit different because one of the cold rooms was brand new. One of the cold rooms also had to be readjusted before mapping, which took some extra time. If I remember correctly, it took place over a weekend as well.

– In the meantime, we had to use the warehouses as usual, opening and closing doors etc. to show how the temperatures varied in normal cases.

How was the business affected in the meantime?
– Not so much actually. It was just a matter of remembering to open and close doors, so that the situation would resemble normal working days.

How did you use the report after mapping, did you need to make any changes to meet the requirements?
– Maria (Almestål, lab manager) from Nordtec explained very well how everything was connected in the report, so that we could then make a decision that we were completely satisfied with.

– For example, one of the coolers was on the verge of being a bit too cold, but we discussed this and decided that it was okay.

Nordtec has also carried out a field calibration on your premises. What type of measuring equipment was calibrated?
– It was the entire testo Saveris 1 system that was calibrated on site here with us. Today we have 22 or 23 donors I think and it would be very complicated for us without this help. We can’t just take the sensors down and send them in for calibration and not have any temperature monitoring in the meantime. We need to keep a constant eye on the temperature.

Where do the temperature requirements you have to meet come from?
– This is required by the Medical Products Agency. We have both pharmacy and wholesale operations and there are great demands on temperature monitoring in several of our operations.

– Having a good monitoring system and making sure that the equipment is calibrated is important. And now we know that all donors are okay for a whole year!

Tips for others ordering mapping or calibration, anything they should consider or prepare?
– We really feel that we received all the information we needed for the mapping.

– It was a cold room that was brand new and we didn’t have a good drawing of it. So that was an example of things we needed to produce so that Nordtec could plan and calculate the work. Otherwise, there was nothing we needed to prepare. We were given very clear instructions in advance on how to proceed and there was absolutely nothing complicated that we had to do.

Were the Nordtec team responsive to what needed to be done?
– Yes, we think so. Everything went very smoothly.

So you were satisfied with how the mapping was done?
– Yes, we really were!

Published 2022-08-10

ClinStorage has found a growing niche in the pharmaceutical industry. In meticulously controlled warehouses, they store the medicines of the future. The company uses the validated testo Saveris 1 computerized remote monitoring system to ensure that any temperature changes in refrigerators and freezers can be detected and acted upon quickly.

– Having full control of temperatures is essential for us, says Sven Jacobsson of ClinStorage. Sven runs ClinStorage together with Ola Camber. Sven has a PhD in analytical chemistry and Ola in pharmacy (drug development). Both previously worked in senior positions at major pharmaceutical companies such as Pharmacia and AstraZeneca.

– We discovered that solving how to handle and store investigational medicinal products and different active substances correctly and reliably was not a trivial task. It is often difficult for many smaller biotech companies to solve this,” says Sven.

High interest in pharmaceutical storage
In 2008, Sven Jacobsson and Ola Camber started ClinStorage. It quickly became apparent that there was great interest among mainly smaller pharmaceutical companies to get help with storage that meets the authorities’ high standards. ClinStorage has grown steadily and currently employs six people in a 300 square meter, specially designed warehouse in Solna, just north of Stockholm. The customers are drug development companies in Sweden and the other Nordic countries.

– In addition to storage, we also coordinate and manage transportation in cooperation with established freight forwarders. We are what you would call a one stop shop,” says Sven.

The choice fell on the testo Saveris 1
In order to get even better control of all temperature levels, Sven Jacobsson and Ola Camber decided a few years ago to invest in a digitalized, validatable monitoring system for pharmaceutical storage. Together with a consultant, they compared various systems on the market before finally choosing testo Saveris 1, which today monitors the temperatures in some 30 rooms, refrigerators, freezers, tanks and thermoses via a large number of loggers. The system is also connected to the diesel power plant that ClinStorage has as a backup to ensure safe 24/7 operations.

– Everything is working well and we are very satisfied. What was crucial was that we have been able to validate the system and have an annual calibration of all measuring equipment. This provides us with reliable data and also good documentation to show when we are inspected by authorities or customers who want to see details of how the temperature monitoring is structured and what procedures are in place for different scenarios.

Validation ensures functionality
Shortly after Nordtec has installed and commissioned testo Saveris 1 for ClinStorage, a validation of the entire monitoring system was carried out. This is to ensure that the system meets the requirements specification. It was an extensive and thorough review, to say the least. Every single detail was tested and evaluated. Nordtec’s representative checked that measurement data cannot be manipulated, that all interactions in the system can be traced, that alarm levels on all sensors work, that every employee at ClinStorage has the right authorization, that all alarms work as they should, that all measurement data is collected and stored securely (with backups) – just to name a few examples.

What exactly are you storing?
– Investigational medicinal products. That is, before a medicine is approved by the authorities to be prescribed by doctors and sold commercially, it goes through a series of clinical tests to demonstrate efficacy and examine the risk of side effects. While this is being done, the medicine should be stored in the same conditions as the finished medicine, so that it is not affected and retains its properties,” says Sven:

– A finished medicine, such as a vaccine, can consist of a large number of components such as excipients and carrier systems. Each such component, or pharmaceutical material as it is often called, requires storage at a certain specified temperature.

What temperatures are involved?
– We have everything from ultra-low temperatures like minus 196 (!) degrees (in the gas phase above liquid nitrogen) to storing pharmaceutical materials at plus 30 degrees. To cope with this wide range of temperatures, we need highly accurate and calibrated measuring equipment to read the correct temperatures.

How long do you store the medicines?
– These range from temporary storage of three to six months to storage for up to ten years. This means we need easy access to digital temperature data over a long period of time. Because if there is a problem in the clinical trial, you want to be able to go back and look at what the temperature curve looked like maybe five years ago when you started to store the drug.

Do you see any trends in the pharmaceutical industry?
– There is an increasing focus on advanced therapy medicinal products, which is the umbrella term for cell, gene and tissue therapies. In other words, biology is more like medicine, for example by adding a cell that can attack a cancerous tumor or a genetic code that allows the body to develop a defense. An obvious, current and clear trend is the Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna, which add the macromolecule mRNA so that the body can develop an antibody repository against generated spike proteins. These groups of products also have in common that they require significantly lower temperatures for storage and distribution compared to traditional medicines. We at ClinStorage are at the forefront of providing such storage and distribution solutions.

What are you aiming for next?
– We have developed a new service where we label and pack medicines to be sent to clinical trials. We have recently been inspected by the Swedish Medical Products Agency and hope to be certified for this type of handling in the near future. In terms of space, we have the capacity to grow for the next few years, but if the growth continues unabated, we will probably need a more large-scale expansion. Whether this can be done in our existing premises or in new facilities remains to be seen.

Published 2022-08-09

The Nordic logistics company Strömberg is aiming for expansion in medical technology. With the help of mapping of temperature levels, so-called mapping, carried out by Nordtec, Strömberg has acquired knowledge about how to create a perfect indoor climate that meets the high demands of both customers and authorities.

Strömberg has made an impressive journey. In 40 years, it has gone from a small basement company focusing on personalized mailings of financial information to a full-service partner in printing, warehousing and distribution.

The company management, a digital printing and finishing facility and logistics center are located in Flemingsberg, while the main warehouse is in Jordbro (both in southern Stockholm). In addition, Strömberg has a small printing plant and warehouse in Sandviken and logistics centers in Norway, Denmark and Finland. Strömberg provides a total of 30,000 pallet spaces across the Nordic region.

All areas of activity are permeated by a sustainability mindset. Everything from demand-driven production in the print shop to environmentally friendly transportation and – not least – climate-smart operation. As concrete evidence of this, Strömberg is one of the few in the industry to have its own wind turbine that produces the electricity that powers the facilities.

What do you store and distribute?
– Historically, we have been very print-oriented. We still print and store a lot of promotional material, but in recent years we have also started to stock various products in the medical technology sector. It was in connection with this that we came into contact with Nordtec,” says Purchasing and Real Estate Manager Robert Peart and continues:

– The growth of this customer segment has brought new requirements, including stock mapping, from both customers and the relevant authorities. With its expertise, Nordtec has helped us to meet the requirements that have steadily increased in recent years.

Several of Strömberg’s logistics centers in both Sweden and Denmark have received a thorough review of temperature levels. The layers have been mapped in both summer and winter to ensure stable indoor climates as temperatures rise and fall outside. Robert Peart feels that all mappings have gone smoothly with minimal pre- and post-work for him and his colleagues at Strömberg.

– Above all, these processes have strengthened our belief that we have the right partner when it comes to temperature and humidity measurement, mapping issues, calibration issues, instrument issues, software issues… When I discovered 3-4 years ago what Nordtec could offer in the form of a calibrated and validatable remote monitoring system (testo Saveris 1, editor’s note), I was immediately convinced that it was the right step to take for us in our journey to retain and develop our customers in medical technology.

What have you learned from all the maps?
– We have learned where there are differences in temperature and humidity in the buildings. Together with Nordtec, we have discussed and received advice on how to place products in environments where they are shielded from external influences such as frequently opened roller doors that cause climate change.

Robert Peart says that going forward, Strömberg aims to further strengthen its position as a safe and reliable logistics partner in medical technology.

– Over 5-6 years, we have learned a lot and built up a bank of expertise in the medical device industry. We can share this knowledge. Both for new entrants to the industry and for established players who may be planning to expand their product range, but who do not really know what is required to store these products in an optimal and approved way.